Movies

Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody hope their ‘out of the box’ comedy gets new life at Tribeca

BBG News

Initially, when Mandy Patinkin received a script outlining possible plotlines for the sitcom “Seasoned,” where he acts alongside his wife Kathryn Grody, he felt somewhat surprised.

As I sat there, utterly captivated, I found myself whispering, “This is something entirely fresh and unique – a cinematic marvel that seems to have sprung from an untouched realm of creativity. Frankly, I’m not sure I possess the capacity to adequately express my admiration for it.

However, during a video chat with Grody, Grody-Patinkin, and the director, Ewen Wright, Patinkin recounted how Grody-Patinkin managed to persuade him of his readiness for the task. This was done by reminding Patinkin that he often takes on intense and dark roles, as demonstrated by his Emmy-nominated performance in “Homeland.

Patinkin remembers his children telling him, ‘You often talk about needing a break, but this is just who you are. Be yourself. Just show up for work. It’s supposed to be liberating.’ Indeed, their words held a great deal of truth.

In essence, interacting with Grody and Patinkin via Zoom isn’t much different from watching them in the premiere of “Seasoned” at the Tribeca Festival this Sunday. In that show, they portray slightly fictionalized selves, looking for a place to dine out on their anniversary in New York, as they missed their reservation due to Kathryn’s prolonged conversation with friends following a play. This predicament results in Mandy experiencing an emotional breakdown over a departing falafel truck.

Voices

Column: Out-of-touch celebs — take a cue from Mandy Patinkin’s relatable shutdown videos

In a charming blend of innocence towards pop culture and strong marital harmony, Mandy Patinkin and his wife, Kathryn Grody, share videos that leave viewers yearning for the comfort of matzo and the warmth of a loving partnership.

During our conversation, Patinkin wrapped his arm around Grody, expressing his love for her and causing her to laugh heartily. They exchanged light-hearted banter and teased each other gently. He playfully complained about their usual dinners, saying something like “Give me anything but rice and vegetables.”

On our phone call, Patinkin hugged Grody affectionately while telling her how much he loves her, prompting her to laugh. They engaged in friendly banter, occasionally teasing each other. He joked about their regular dinners, commenting something like “I’d prefer anything but rice and vegetables.

During the early stages of the COVID-19 lockdown, a dynamic similar to what was seen in the viral videos they featured in was evident, thanks to Grody-Patinkin’s encouragement. In the lead-up to the 2020 elections, Wright, a friend of Grody-Patinkin, joined their team as they channeled their efforts towards promoting Joe Biden’s campaign, with a focus on getting out the vote.

Straightaway, networks showed interest if they could transfer the Grody-Patinkin show onto a larger stage. Grody-Patinkin mentioned they rejected several reality deals, but when Patinkin was asked about any projects he desired to produce, he recognized his desire to carry on collaborating with Wright. Simultaneously, Wright wished to maintain a familial connection in the project.

Wright notes that collaborating with Mandy promises to be exhilarating and productive. However, he adds a twist by mentioning Kathryn as well, stating, “Yet, the key ingredient that makes everything even more intriguing is having Kathryn on board.

Writers Grody-Patinkin and Wright brainstormed more than 50 potential episodes and filmed the pilot in July 2022. Initially, Showtime – Patinkin’s previous home from “Homeland” – agreed to air the series for a six-episode season. However, they submitted their scripts right before the 2023 writers’ strike occurred. After production resumed, unfortunately, Showtime decided not to proceed with the project.

As a devoted cinephile, I’m sharing an insightful statement from a fellow filmmaker: “They were exceptionally accommodating when informing us, you know, it’s not about creative criticism.” Instead, this was strictly a business move, made amidst the chaos and uncertainty that characterizes the current state of our industry.

However, none of the quartet were ready to relinquish “Seasoned”. Instead, they saw the Tribeca opportunity as a means for it to be reborn. Grody maintains an upbeat outlook.

She mentions that there’s an idiom which seems more appealing in Spanish, yet her older son thinks she uses it too frequently, and it may not always be accurate. However, she emphasizes that even when things seem terrible, there’s usually a chance for something positive to arise, expressing a hint of frustration as Grody-Patinkin shows a touch of exasperation.

Grody-Patinkin mentions, “That phrase shows up in approximately nine out of ten of our family discussions and I can’t figure out why.” Patinkin then suggests, “You should have learned it in Spanish by this point.

Part of their motivation is to replicate the exhilaration they felt during the production of the pilot, a feeling that Patinkin referred to as “absolutely thrilling.” These seasoned actors worked continuously for five days, typically starting at 4 p.m. and wrapping up at 6 a.m.

Patinkin remarks, “It might be hard to accept, but we’re actually older than we appear,” to which Grody counters, “Well, we’re definitely not a century old!” To clarify, Patinkin continues, “We may not be 30, but we’re certainly not that age. What’s impressive is our ability to stay alert, concentrate, and avoid arguments.

Grody is more accustomed to live theater than TV or movies, but she enjoyed the crew’s laughter at clips of her chasing around while wearing a camera that focused on her face. “I don’t mind if I looked like an alien,” she says, “it made them laugh. That was truly entertaining.

On various social media platforms, Grody and Patinkin continue to share videos that vary from lighthearted (such as drawing on each other’s faces) to more significant (expressing support for causes like Gaza aid and climate change). The blend of playfulness and earnest activism is one reason behind Grody’s strong dedication to the completion of “Seasoned.

She states, “It shatters expectations regarding conduct and connections among individuals our age.” I’d expect it to inspire younger generations to be less apprehensive about growing up in a culture that values youth excessively and fears the advantages of aging.

Wright admits that the nature of the series they co-created is a reflection of the personalities of Grody and Patinkin.

He mentions, “My unexpected source of humor is this elderly Jewish couple. The reason being, it’s in the way they live their lives and their unique perspective that resonates with me.

Although Mandy and Kathryn’s characters share some similarities with Patinkin and Grody, their storylines aren’t directly drawn from real-life experiences. For instance, unlike Patinkin, he hasn’t used an Inigo Montoya quote to secure a table at a restaurant, nor has there been a scene where they attended a sex party.

Despite initial setbacks, I attempted to leverage my fame to secure entry for Wright and his child into a fully booked Disneyland. At first, it seemed unfruitful, but eventually, an employee recognized me, and we were granted access.

“We got in and we had a great time,” Wright says.

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2025-06-06 13:33

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